Team Canada is heading to their third straight Olympics in women’s soccer. The Canadian women defeated Costa Rica, as expected, by a score of 3-1.

Canada will face the United States in the final of this tournament, though both teams have earned a berth into the Olympics by virtue of finishing top-two.

If you only know one thing about women’s, you likely know about Christine Sinclair. This game showed why.

Sinclair scored the opening goal of the game, scoring off a cross into the box by Josée Bélanger in the 17th minute. For some reason, Costa Rica forgot to cover the second all-time leader in international goals. The result was predictable.

Image: Sportsnet

Canada made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute from guess who. Sinclair made Costa Rica pay for a brutal giveaway, scoring a beauty of a goal.

Image: Sportsnet

Even more impressive was the fact that Sinclair played this game at less than 100%. She was limping noticeably and was taken out of the game by head coach John Herdman in the 2nd half.

Costa Rica cut the lead in half in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a penalty after a Desiree Scott foul in the box. Raquel Rodriguez scored the goal for Costa Rica.

Sixteen-year-old Deanna Rose scored the insurance marker in the 86th minute, converting on a cross from Nichelle Prince to make it 3-1.

“The girls were fantastic, they owned that game,” said John Herdman. “They played good football, defended well, and showed their class.”

“She (Sinclair) is class. When you ask her to deliver, she delivers. Wow, what a performance. Stick with her (because) we’re going to Rio and will have another crack at the podium!”

“It was a whole team performance,” said Canada’s captain Christine Sinclair. “Costa Rica is much improved and they tested us like no other team (at this tournament). We had lots of crosses into the box and I was lucky to get a couple in.”

Bronze medal winners at London 2012, Canada will be looking for a medal once again this year in what should be Christine Sinclair’s final Olympics.